Al-Arafia: The embrace of death
posted at 9:08 am on August 21, 2007 by Allahpundit
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One of Michael Yon’s best posts was a piece published in February called “The Hands of God” about an Iraqi north of Mosul who spotted a suicide bomber on his way towards a mosque and did the only thing he could to stop him — grabbed him tight and held on while the button was pushed. No telling if that was the first time something like that had happened, but we know now that it wasn’t the last.
An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug. 18.
The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community group, at a member’s house…
The citizen’s actions saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians…
“He could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone. Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he would have known the outcome before hand, he wouldn’t have acted differently.”
Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3-1 Cavalry, echoed Kane’s sentiment.
“I spoke with the father,” Gilbert said. “He said he has no remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American Soldiers.”
Here’s some background on the “Concerned Citizens” via an MNF dispatch from last week. The language is carefully worded but it sounds like they’re former insurgents.
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Good Morning AP, great story.
zane on August 21, 2007 at 9:16 AM
An Iraqi hero.
MT on August 21, 2007 at 9:24 AM
“He could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone.
Thanks AP. Another hero the Left will ignore.
God Bless his memory.
JohnnyD on August 21, 2007 at 9:31 AM
That man is a hero. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way for the Iraqis to turn that kind of zeal into making their country successful and prosperous? If we walk out on them now even the smallest opportunity will go with us and we will have to be ashamed forever.( a little off the point) The Brits….I’m not sure if they are giving up because they’ve actually lost in Basra or for political reasons. If it’s the latter, then the Brits that fought off the Nazis so bravely were a different breed.
jeanie on August 21, 2007 at 9:32 AM
The needs of the few out way the needs of the many.
He said he has no remorse:
MT. on August 21,2007 at 9:24 AM.
Your absolutely right MT he is an Iragi hero.
canopfor on August 21, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Somehow the Americans need to publicly recognizes acts like this to send a message that while helping the Americans is dangerous we treat our friends well. Nothing can replace the life lost but something to honor this man’s actions needs to done, and any others who do similar acts.
We must fight martyrs with martyrs and make the actions of those who save life more important then those who take lives.
LakeRuins on August 21, 2007 at 9:40 AM
Well, I can’t wait to see the in depth report on the six o’clock network news. I mean after all the coverage given to Congressional Medal of Honor winners (it was at least equal to the Abu Ghraib coverage, right?) we may even see a series of stories on Iraqi heros who are helping us defeat terrorists.
What’s that? oh yeah, they don’t want us to win.
never mind…
trubble on August 21, 2007 at 9:50 AM
And the left thinks the Iraqis despise us.
Sven on August 21, 2007 at 9:54 AM
Yet another positive story from Iraq that’ll never see the light of day in the MSM.
flipflop on August 21, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Such a sad, yet inspiring story as more signs of humanity emerge from the war front in Iraq.
Troy Rasmussen on August 21, 2007 at 10:01 AM
“Somehow the Americans need to publicly recognizes acts like this to send a message that while helping the Americans is dangerous we treat our friends well” – this is well and good, but if this man’s family becomes publicly known, nothing short of evacuating them to the US will save them from reprisals. And if all the good Iraqis are evacuated to the US, there won’t be much left of Iraq.
Apeking on August 21, 2007 at 10:05 AM
This taxpayer would like to be assured that this man’s family is well compensated.
RushBaby on August 21, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Of course the MSM won’t cover it. And they can feel quite morally superior in that choice. After all, he was either the Iraqi equivalent of the Vichy, or, at best, the same kind of ill-informed, gullible person who has – in this country – been so easily duped by the Official Version® of the events of 9-11.
eeyore on August 21, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Citizenship and a Medal of Freedom from a grateful nation.
Alden Pyle on August 21, 2007 at 10:41 AM
These are the type stories that O’Reilly should be running. Would Michelle be able to present them when she covers for him?
Catseye on August 21, 2007 at 10:42 AM
I agree. We need to reward these heroic actions.
May God rest his soul.
Tim Burton on August 21, 2007 at 11:08 AM
You’ll never see that great great story about a true Iraqi hero in any MM outlet. God Bless the man and bless and protect his family.
countywolf on August 21, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Humbling.
Jaibones on August 21, 2007 at 11:53 AM
See how it works?
We Blessed them (freedom from Hussein’s regime) and now they are Blessing us. I am very thankful for that young man who was the exact opposite of the suicide bomber who also died.
I am also thankful that not only the US soldiers were saved, but also the 8 civilians-enough innocents have died because of the brutality of al Queda.
Doug on August 21, 2007 at 12:26 PM
“Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another.”
profitsbeard on August 21, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Had to quote this for the truth of the statement…
doriangrey on August 21, 2007 at 1:01 PM
Sarcasm or moron trolling?
tickleddragon on August 21, 2007 at 1:19 PM
God Bless this brave and good man. And God bless his family.
May he rest in peace.
tickleddragon on August 21, 2007 at 1:20 PM
If I were Allah, I’d give this guy 144 virgins.
JackOfClubs on August 21, 2007 at 4:17 PM
where is Iraq’s Congressional Medal of Honor? this kid deserves one.
Heroes die doing what Heroes do.
“may Allah be with him. a true martyr.”
Kaptain Amerika on August 21, 2007 at 5:02 PM
This heroes picture should be plastered on billboards all over this country.
Speakup on August 21, 2007 at 6:04 PM
eeyore on August 21, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Fvck off asswipe!
sonnyspats1 on August 21, 2007 at 11:52 PM
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